Galway absolutely crushed Armagh, 0-21 to 0-8, to punch their ticket to the All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship final. That’s a 13-point smackdown, folks, and it marks Galway’s first trip back to this final since 2024. Talk about making a statement! Armagh, on the other hand, was looking for their first final appearance since way back in 2006, a year they actually beat Galway in a semi-final. Not this time, not today.
Galway Set the Tone Early
The game kicked off a bit cagey, you know how it goes in these high-stakes matchups. But Galway’s Eva Noone wasn’t waiting around, slotting a point inside the first minute. That’s the kind of start you want to see! After that, things tightened up for a bit, with Galway having to wait another eight minutes before Hannah Noone stroked one between the posts. You gotta wonder if she should’ve gone for goal there, but hey, points are points, right? Armagh finally got on the scoreboard thanks to an Aimee Mackin free at the 11-minute mark. But just when you thought Armagh might find some rhythm, Galway hit back HARD. Four successive points from play, just like that, stretching their lead. Hannah Noone even had a screaming chance for a goal, driving forward, but her looping strike clipped the crossbar and bounced away. Man, if that had gone in, it would’ve been a whole different ballgame right there. Armagh was really struggling to create shooting chances from open play, relying on another free from Kelly Mallon to get a score. Galway All-Star Olivia Divilly finally got her first score, and Mackin responded for Armagh, her effort just clearing the bar when it looked like a goal. But Galway ended the half with a flourish, rattling off three scores in a row to go into the break up 0-10 to 0-3. A seven-point lead. You love to see it.
Armagh Couldn’t Catch a Break
Galway picked up right where they left off after halftime. Coen nailed a free after a goal chance was blocked down. Armagh managed to respond, but it felt like they were just trying to keep their head above water. Nicola Ward had a low shot blocked, and then Roisin Leonard was on target with a two-point free. Galway just kept tagging on points, extending that advantage. The two teams traded scores for a bit, a little back-and-forth, but then Galway just slammed the door shut. Four scores in a row to cruise to that huge 13-point win. Daniel Moynihan’s side looked absolutely dominant. Armagh just couldn’t muster a response in that second half, and you could feel the momentum slipping away from the Orchard County with every passing minute. When a team goes up 0-21 to 0-8, there’s no question who earned that victory.
So, Galway is heading to the All-Ireland final for the Brendan Martin Cup! They’re set to face whoever comes out on top between holders Dublin and Kerry. That second semi-final is gonna be huge, throwing in at 17:15 at Semple Stadium. The final itself? Circle Sunday, 2 August, on your calendar, because it’s all going down at Croke Park. Galway put on a clinic, and now they’ve got their sights set on bringing home the cup.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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